TW201740090A - Molten material thermocouple methods and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A molten material apparatus can include a container including a wall at least partially defining a containment area and an opening extending through the wall. The molten material apparatus can include a protective sleeve mounted at least partially within the opening of the wall of the container. A thermocouple can be positioned within an internal bore of the protective sleeve. A method of processing molten material can include inserting a thermocouple into a protective sleeve fabricated from a refractory ceramic material, and measuring a temperature of material within a containment area of a container with the thermocouple.

Description

Molten material thermocouple method and device

The present application is based on the priority of the U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/091,183, filed on Apr. 5, 2016, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. .

The present disclosure relates generally to a method and apparatus for measuring the temperature of a material using a thermocouple, and more particularly to a temperature for forming a material using molten glass in a thermocouple measuring container located in a protective sleeve. Method and equipment.

It is known to measure temperature using a thermocouple. It is further known to place a thermocouple in a protective sleeve to protect the thermocouple.

A simplified summary of the disclosure is presented below to provide a basic understanding of some exemplary embodiments described in the embodiments.

In one embodiment, the molten material apparatus can include a container including a wall and an opening, the wall at least partially defining a receiving area, and the opening extending through the wall. The molten material apparatus can include a protective sleeve that is at least partially mounted within the opening of the wall of the container. The protective sleeve can include a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an inner bore. The inner bore of the protective sleeve can include an open end at the first end and a closed end at the second end. The closed end can be defined by the inner end surface of the second end of the protective sleeve. The molten material apparatus can include a thermocouple located within the inner bore of the protective sleeve. The thermocouple can be biased toward the inner end surface of the second end of the protective sleeve.

In another embodiment, the thermocouple can contact the inner end surface of the second end of the protective sleeve.

In another embodiment, the molten material apparatus can include a support sleeve at least partially within the inner bore of the protective sleeve. The support sleeve can include a first end, a second end opposite the first end of the support sleeve, and an inner bore. The inner bore of the support sleeve can include an open end at the first end of the support sleeve.

In another embodiment, the inner bore of the support sleeve can include a closed end at the second end of the support sleeve. The closed end can be defined by the inner end surface of the second end of the support sleeve. The thermocouple can be located within the inner bore of the support sleeve. The thermocouple can be biased against the inner end surface of the second end of the support sleeve.

In another embodiment, the outer end surface of the second end of the support sleeve can be biased against the inner end surface of the second end of the protective sleeve.

In another embodiment, the protective sleeve can be made of a refractory ceramic material.

In another embodiment, the refractory ceramic material can include a compound selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, chromium oxide, and fused zirconia.

In another embodiment, the thermocouple can include a platinum/rhodium alloy thermocouple.

In another embodiment, the thermocouple can include a Type B thermocouple.

In another embodiment, the support sleeve can comprise platinum or a platinum alloy.

In another embodiment, the protective sleeve may extend from the inner surface of the wall of the container in the receiving area by a distance of from greater than 0 cm to about 25 cm.

In another embodiment, the molten material apparatus can include a molten glass forming material within the containment area of the container.

In another embodiment, the molten glass forming material comprises a metal.

In another embodiment, the molten material apparatus can include a solid glass layer on the edge of the inner surface of the wall of the container.

In another embodiment, the solid glass seals the interface between the wall of the container and the protective sleeve.

In another embodiment, the molten material apparatus can include a container including a wall and an opening, the wall at least partially defining a receiving area, and the opening extending through the wall. The molten material apparatus can include a protective sleeve that is at least partially mounted within the opening of the wall of the container. The protective sleeve may be made of a refractory ceramic material comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, chromium oxide, and fused zirconia. The molten material apparatus can include a thermocouple located within the inner bore of the protective sleeve.

In another embodiment, the thermocouple can contact the inner end surface of the protective sleeve, the inner end surface of the protective sleeve at least partially defining the inner bore of the protective sleeve.

In another embodiment, the molten material apparatus can include a support sleeve at least partially within the inner bore of the protective sleeve.

In another embodiment, the thermocouple can be located within the inner bore of the support sleeve.

In another embodiment, the thermocouple can contact the inner end surface of the support sleeve, the inner end surface of the support sleeve defines a closed end of the inner bore of the support sleeve, and the outer end surface of the support sleeve can contact the protective sleeve The inner end surface of the barrel, the inner end surface of the protective sleeve at least partially defines an inner bore of the protective sleeve.

In another embodiment, a method of processing a molten material can include the step of inserting a thermocouple into a protective sleeve made of a refractory ceramic material. The protective sleeve can be at least partially mounted within the opening of the wall of the container, and the method can include the step of measuring the temperature of the material within the containment area of the container using a thermocouple.

In another embodiment, the method can include the step of solidifying a plurality of molten glass forming materials into a solid glass layer on the edge of the inner surface of the wall of the container by utilizing the wall of the liquid cooling vessel.

In another embodiment, the end of the protective sleeve can pass through the opening of the wall and through the layer of solid glass such that the ends of the protective sleeve are within the molten glass forming material.

In another embodiment, the method can include the step of curing a plurality of molten glass forming materials into a solid glass to seal the interface between the walls of the container and the protective sleeve.

In another embodiment, the step of measuring the temperature of the material may include the steps of biasing the thermocouple against the inner end surface of the protective sleeve, the inner end surface of the protective sleeve defining an inner bore of the protective sleeve Closed end.

In another embodiment, the method can include the step of supporting the protective sleeve by at least partially inserting the support sleeve into the inner bore of the protective sleeve.

In another embodiment, the step of measuring the temperature of the material may include the step of biasing the thermocouple against the inner end surface of the closed end of the support sleeve such that the closed end of the support sleeve is outside The end surface is biased against the inner end surface of the protective sleeve and the inner end surface of the protective sleeve defines a closed end of the inner bore of the protective sleeve.

The above description of the embodiments of the present invention is intended to be in the The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description

The apparatus and method will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, FIG. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein.

The glass sheet is usually produced by flowing molten glass to the forming body, whereby the glass ribbon can be formed by various strip forming processes, including floating, slot stretching, downward stretching, fusion downward stretching, upward Stretching, rolling or any other forming process. Subsequently, the glass ribbon from any of these processes can then be segmented to provide one or more glass sheets suitable for further processing into the desired application, including but not limited to display applications. For example, one or more glass sheets can be used in a variety of display applications, including liquid crystal displays (LCDs), electrophoretic displays (EPDs), organic light emitting diode displays (OLEDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), or the like. .

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary glass manufacturing apparatus 101 to form a glass ribbon 103. For purposes of illustration, the glass manufacturing apparatus 101 is illustrated as a fused pull down apparatus, although other glass making apparatus may be provided in further examples, such as up stretch, float, roll, slot stretch, and the like. As shown, the glass manufacturing apparatus 101 can include a melting vessel 105 that is oriented to receive batch material 107 from the storage bin 109. Batch material 107 can be introduced by batch delivery device 111 powered by motor 113. The optional controller 115 can be operated to activate the motor 113 to introduce the desired amount of batch material 107 into the molten vessel 105 as indicated by arrow 117. The glass melt probe 119 can be used to measure the level of the molten material 121 in the riser 123 and communicate the measurement information to the controller 115 via the communication line 125.

The glass manufacturing apparatus 101 may also include a clarification vessel 127 located downstream of the smelting vessel 105 and coupled to the smelting vessel 105 via a first connecting conduit 129. In some embodiments, the molten material 121 can be gravity fed from the melting vessel 105 to the clarification vessel 127 via the first connecting conduit 129. For example, gravity can act to drive the molten material 121 from the molten vessel 105 through the internal passage of the first connecting conduit 129 to the clarification vessel 127. In the clarification vessel 127, bubbles can be removed from the molten material 121 by various techniques.

The glass manufacturing apparatus 101 may further include a mixing chamber 131 that may be located downstream of the clarification vessel 127. The mixing chamber 131 can be used to provide a uniform composition of molten material 121, thereby reducing or eliminating non-uniform cords that may be present in the molten material 121 exiting the clarification vessel 127. As shown, the clarification vessel 127 can be coupled to the mixing chamber 131 via a second connecting conduit 135. In some embodiments, the molten material 121 can be gravity fed from the clarification vessel 127 to the mixing chamber 131 via the second connecting conduit 135. For example, gravity can act to drive the molten material 121 from the clarification vessel 127 through the internal passage of the second connecting conduit 135 to the mixing chamber 131.

The glass manufacturing apparatus 101 can further include a delivery container 133 that can be located downstream of the mixing chamber 131. The delivery container 133 can adjust the molten material 121 that is fed to the glass former 140. For example, the delivery container 133 can act as an accumulator and/or flow controller to adjust and provide a consistent flow to the molten material 121 of the glass former 140. As shown, the mixing chamber 131 can be coupled to the delivery container 133 via a third connecting conduit 137. In some embodiments, the molten material 121 can be gravity fed from the mixing chamber 131 to the delivery container 133 via a third connecting conduit 137. For example, gravity can act to drive the molten material 121 from the mixing chamber 131 through the internal passage of the third connecting conduit 137 to the delivery container 133.

As further shown, the delivery tube 139 can be positioned to deliver the molten material 121 to the glass former 140 of the glass manufacturing apparatus 101. The glass former 140 can stretch the molten material 121 leaving the root portion 145 forming the container 143 into the glass ribbon 103. In the illustrated embodiment, the forming container 143 can be provided with an inlet 141 that is oriented to receive molten material 121 from the delivery tube 139 of the delivery container 133. The width "W" of the glass ribbon 103 may extend between the first vertical edge 153 of the glass ribbon 103 and the second vertical edge 155 of the glass ribbon 103.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the glass manufacturing apparatus 101 along line 2-2 of Figure 1. As shown, the forming container 143 can include a groove 201 that is oriented to receive molten material 121 from the inlet 141. Forming the container 143 can further include forming a wedge 209 that includes a pair of downwardly sloping converging surface portions 207a, 207b extending between opposite ends of the forming wedge 209. The pair of downwardly inclined converging surface portions 207a, 207b converge in the stretching direction 211 to form a root portion 145. The stretching plane 213 extends through the root 145 where the glass ribbon 103 can be stretched in the stretching direction 211 along the stretching plane 213. As shown, the stretch plane 213 can be opposite the root portion 145, but the stretch plane 213 can extend in other orientations relative to the root 145.

Referring to Fig. 2, in one embodiment, molten material 121 can flow from inlet 141 into trench 201 forming container 143. Subsequently, the molten material 121 may flow out of the groove 201 while flowing through the respective crucibles 203a, 203b and flowing downward through the outer surfaces 205a, 205b of the respective crucibles 203a, 203b. Subsequently, the respective molten material 121 flows along the downwardly inclined converging surface portions 207a, 207b forming the wedge 209, and is pulled out from the root portion 145 forming the container 143 where the streams converge and fuse into a glass ribbon. 103. Subsequently, the glass ribbon 103 can be fused away from the root 145 along the stretching direction 211 in the stretching plane 213, wherein the glass sheet 104 (see Figure 1) can then be separated from the glass ribbon 103.

As shown in Fig. 2, the glass ribbon 103 can be pulled out from the root portion 145, wherein the first major surface 215a of the glass ribbon 103 faces the second major surface 215b of the glass ribbon 103 in the opposite direction and defines the thickness "T of the glass ribbon 103". "may be less than or equal to about 1 millimeter (mm), less than or equal to about 0.5 millimeters, less than or equal to about 500 micrometers (μm), such as less than or equal to about 300 micrometers, such as less than or equal to about 200 micrometers, or such as less than or equal to about 100 microns, although other thicknesses may be provided in further embodiments. Additionally, glass ribbon 103 can include various compositions including, but not limited to, soda lime glass, borosilicate glass, aluminoborosilicate glass, alkali-containing glass or alkali-free glass.

3 through 7 schematically illustrate features of a molten material apparatus 300 and a method of processing a molten material in accordance with embodiments shown herein. In some embodiments, the method of processing molten material can include the steps of: measuring the temperature of the material using thermocouple 350, and measuring the molten glass forming material 306 within container 305 using thermocouple 350 located in protective sleeve 320. temperature. In some embodiments, the molten glass forming material 306 can be disposed in a container 305 of a glass manufacturing apparatus (eg, glass manufacturing apparatus 101) (eg, molten vessel 105, clarification vessel 127, mixing chamber 131, delivery vessel 133, forming vessel 143) Etc.). The specific embodiments disclosed herein are intended to be illustrative, and thus not restrictive.

As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the molten material apparatus 300 can include a container 305 that includes a wall 310 and an opening 315 that at least partially defines a receiving area 307 and an opening 315 that extends through the wall 310. Wall 310 is illustrated as an upstream end wall, but in a further embodiment, the wall having an opening may be a downstream end wall, a side wall or a bottom wall. Moreover, in instances where the molten material does not include a free surface, in a further embodiment, the wall can comprise a top wall.

The opening 315 can provide access to the receiving area 307 of the container 305. As shown, a single opening 315 is provided through a single wall of the container 305. In a further embodiment, a plurality of or all of the walls of the container may be provided with a single opening or a plurality of openings. In such embodiments, each opening or subset of openings may be provided with a thermocouple 350 to measure the temperature associated with the location of the respective opening.

In some embodiments, the vessel 305 can be used to hold materials in a submerged combustion melt process. The submerged combustion melt treatment can include the application of mixing the fuel and oxidant with the material in the containment region 307 of the vessel 305 (eg, batch material 107) and combusting directly with the material to melt the material and form, for example, a molten material. 121. Submerged combustion melting of the material can cause convective agitation (e.g., agitation) of the molten material within the containment region 307 of the vessel 305 and can subject the vessel 305 and associated components to high temperatures and potentially corrosive environments.

In one embodiment, the molten material apparatus 300 can include a molten glass forming material 306 within the containment region 307 of the container 305. In some examples, the molten glass forming material 306 can be cooled to form a glass, glass ceramic, or other glass-containing material. In another embodiment, the molten glass forming material 306 can comprise a metal. For example, in one embodiment, the molten glass forming material 306 includes glass, glass ceramics, or other metal-containing glass-containing metals (eg, 30% by weight metal) that can be used to provide antimicrobial properties. In some embodiments, the molten glass forming material 306 comprising metal can create a corrosive environment within the containment region 307 of the container 305. In some examples, a single metal may be provided, or a combination of two or more different types of metals may be provided. Although a wide variety of metals are contemplated, in some embodiments, the glass forming material 306 can comprise at least one metal selected from the group consisting of: (ie, alone or in any combination with any of a plurality of metals): copper, Iron, silver and platinum. In one embodiment, the molten glass forming material 306 includes copper (eg, 30% by weight copper) that can be used to make glass, glass ceramic, or other copper-containing glass that provides antimicrobial properties. In some embodiments, the molten glass forming material 306 comprising copper can create a corrosive environment within the containment region 307 of the container 305. Settings can be made to accommodate the corrosive environment associated with the glass forming material 306. For example, the walls of the container and other components that interact with the molten glass forming material can be designed to withstand the corrosive environment to prevent component failure and/or increase component life.

In some embodiments, the container 305 can include a water-cooled container (eg, a molten container), wherein the liquid 303 can circulate through one or more internal liquid paths 304 within the wall 310 (eg, at the inner surface 312 and wall of the wall 310) Between the outer surfaces 313 of 310). The liquid 303 circulating through the one or more internal liquid paths 304 within the wall 310 can reduce the temperature of the wall 310 and thus extend the operational life of the container 305. In other embodiments, the molten material apparatus 300 can include a solid glass layer 311 on the edge of the inner surface 312 of the wall 310 of the vessel 305. For example, the molten glass adjacent to the inner surface 312 of the wall 310 can be cooled and solidified, at least in part, based on the reduced temperature of the wall 310 of the liquid 303 circulating through one or more internal liquid paths 304 within the wall 310. Material 306 is formed to form a solid glass layer 311 on the edge of inner surface 312 of wall 310. The solid glass layer 311 can help prevent corrosive attack that may occur as a result of the corrosive high temperature molten glass forming material flowing over the inner surface 312 of the wall 310.

In some embodiments, the wall 310 of the vessel 305 can include a structural metal layer (eg, steel) that can include one or more internal liquid paths 304 that can circulate the liquid 303 to cool the wall 310. In other embodiments, the inner surface 312 of the wall 310 can include a protective metal layer (eg, platinum, alumina, quartz, etc.) to separate the structural metal from the molten glass forming material 306. The solid glass layer 311 can be on the side of the inner surface 312 of the protective metal layer to further separate the structural metal from the molten glass forming material 306. In some embodiments, depending on the corrosive nature of the molten glass forming material 306, it may be difficult to measure the temperature of the molten glass forming material 306 within the containment region 307 of the container 305. For example, the thermocouple 350 placed directly in the molten glass forming material 306 may melt or rapidly corrode, so that the operational life of the thermocouple 350 may be reduced and become impractical. In addition, the thermocouple 350 placed directly in the sheath (eg, platinum or platinum-containing alloy) in the molten glass forming material 306 may also corrode relatively quickly (especially in the presence of metals (eg, copper, iron, silver, platinum, and/or Or the case of other metals), the operational life of the thermocouple 350 and the jacket may be reduced, and it becomes equally impractical.

As shown in FIGS. 3-7, the embodiments of the present disclosure utilize a protective sleeve 320 that is at least partially mounted within the opening 315 of the wall 310 of the container 305 to protect the thermocouple 350 of the molten material apparatus 300. Advantageously, the protective sleeve 320 can protect the thermocouple 350 from exposure to the molten glass forming material 306 and thus, for example, extend the operational life of the thermocouple 350. The protective sleeve 320 can be made from a wide range of refractory ceramic materials. In one embodiment, the refractory ceramic material can include a compound selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, chromium oxide, and fused zirconia. For example, the compound may comprise any of the above compounds, either alone or in any combination with each other. Such compounds can provide the desired corrosion resistance to molten glass compositions including metals such as copper, iron, silver, platinum, and/or other metals. The refractory ceramic material can be compatible with the molten glass forming material 306. For example, the refractory ceramic material of the protective sleeve 320 can reduce or prevent corrosion and/or failure of the protective sleeve 320 when exposed to the molten glass forming material 306.

In some embodiments, the thermocouple 350 can include a platinum/rhodium alloy thermocouple 350. In other embodiments, the thermocouple 350 can include a Type B thermocouple 350 that can measure temperatures in the range of about 1600 ° C to about 1700 ° C without any thermal damage when operating in this temperature range. For the purposes of this application, a Type B thermocouple is a platinum/rhodium alloy thermocouple having a first conductor comprising a Pt/Rh 70%/30% platinum/rhenium content and comprising Pt/Rh 94%/by weight. 6% platinum/rhenium content of the second conductor. It should be understood that in further embodiments, any type of thermocouple 350 can be utilized, including thermocouples not explicitly described herein. The thermocouple 350 can measure the temperature of the molten glass forming material 306 in a single, periodic, and continuous manner. In addition, the thermocouple 350 can transfer the measured temperature (eg, wired communication, wireless communication) to a controller or other processor where recording, manipulation, use in calculations, use of measured temperatures in a control system, and the like. In some embodiments, the measured temperature can be provided to any one or more components of a glass manufacturing apparatus (eg, glass manufacturing apparatus 101) to control the aspect of the glass manufacturing process.

As shown in FIG. 4, the thermocouple 350 can include a bracket 353 that can be coupled to the bracket 353 to bias the thermocouple 350 in a direction 314 toward the interior of the container 305. For example, the spring 355 can be attached to the anchors 354a, 354b on the outer surface 313 of the wall 310 of the container 305 to bias the thermocouple 350 in a direction 314 toward the interior of the container 305. In a further embodiment, the spring 355 can be attached directly to the outer surface 313 of the wall 310 of the container 305. Moreover, although a single spring 355 is illustrated in which the central portion of the single spring 355 is located within the carriage defined by the bracket 353, in other embodiments, different or plural springs may be provided. Moreover, it should be understood that a wide range of biasing components can be provided to bias thermocouple 350 in direction 314. In fact, the biasing assembly can include a compression bracket, pull down or other biasing assembly in addition to one or more springs that are additional or alternative. Advantageously, the biasing thermocouple 350 can stabilize the thermocouple 350 from vibration and other movements during operation and can provide contact forces to maintain contact between the thermocouple 350 and the surface that the thermocouple 350 will contact. . For example, biasing the thermocouple 350 against the surface may improve heat transfer between the material and the thermocouple 350, including any structure or material between the material and the thermocouple 350. Therefore, biasing the thermocouple 350 can improve the quality of the measurement of the temperature of the material measured by the thermocouple 350. Moreover, in some embodiments, the biasing thermocouple 350 can provide an alternative to permanently attaching the thermocouple 350 relative to the protective sleeve 320. Therefore, the disassembly of the thermocouple and the protective sleeve 320 can be simplified to allow quick replacement of the protective sleeve 320 without damaging the thermocouple and without the need to replace the thermocouple and/or the support sleeve.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the protective sleeve 320 may include a first end portion 321 of the protective sleeve, a second end portion 322 of the protective sleeve opposite the first end portion 321 of the protective sleeve, and a protective sleeve. Drill 325. The "internal bore" of the entire application is intended to mean internal passages, internal passages, internal openings, internal conduits, internal slots, or may be created by drilling procedures or by molding, grinding or not considered drilling procedures. Other internal boreholes created by other forming techniques. The protective sleeve inner bore 325 can include a protective sleeve open end 323 (see Figure 7) at the first end 321 of the protective sleeve and a protective sleeve closed end 324 at the second end 322 of the protective sleeve. The protective sleeve closed end 324 can be defined by a protective sleeve inner end surface 326 that protects the second end 322 of the sleeve.

In some embodiments, the molten material apparatus 300 can optionally include a support sleeve 370 that is at least partially located within the bore 325 of the protective sleeve of the protective sleeve 320. The support sleeve 370 can include a support sleeve first end 371, a support sleeve second end 372 opposite the support sleeve first end 371, and a support sleeve bore 375. As shown in FIG. 7, the support sleeve inner bore 375 can include a support sleeve open end 373 at the support sleeve first end 371 and a support sleeve closed end 374 at the support sleeve second end 372. The support sleeve closed end 374 can be defined by a support sleeve inner end surface 376 that supports the sleeve second end 372.

As shown in FIG. 7, the protective sleeve 320 can include a protective sleeve outer dimension 390 and a protective sleeve inner bore size 381. Additionally, the support sleeve 370 can include a support sleeve outer dimension 380 and a support sleeve inner bore size 361. Similarly, thermocouple 350 can include a thermocouple outer dimension 360. In some embodiments, the support sleeve 370 can structurally support the protective sleeve 320. For example, the support sleeve 370 can be fabricated by a material that includes a higher ductility (eg, metal) than a relatively fragile material (eg, a refractory ceramic material) that can be fabricated with the protective sleeve 320. In some embodiments, the support sleeve 370 can include platinum or a platinum alloy that resists high temperature environments and provides high thermal conductivity to increase the temperature measurement response time of the thermocouple 350. In other embodiments, the support sleeve 370 can include alternative materials that can withstand high temperatures, including molybdenum, alumina, and other materials. Advantageously, the refractory ceramic material of the protective sleeve 320 may be more compatible with the corrosive molten glass forming material 306 than the material of the support sleeve 370. At the same time, the support sleeve 370 can enhance the structural integrity of the protective sleeve 320. For example, the support sleeve 370 can help protect the sleeve 320 against the application of the protective sleeve 320 having features (eg, material, size, shape) that make the protective sleeve fragile or less resistant to operational stresses. Peeling, cracking or other failure modes. For example, the operating stress may be caused by heating or cooling the protective sleeve, the flow of the molten material of the impact protection sleeve, the heat treatment of the molten glass, and the like.

As shown in Figure 5, the bore size 381 within the protective sleeve can accommodate the outer dimension 380 of the support sleeve, while the bore size 361 within the support sleeve can accommodate the outer dimension 360 of the thermocouple such that the thermocouple 350 can be located in the support sleeve The bore 375 is bored within the barrel and the support sleeve 370 can be located within the bore 325 of the protective sleeve. In some embodiments, the support sleeve 370 can fit snugly within the bore 325 within the protective sleeve. In other embodiments, the outer sleeve dimension 380 can be smaller than the bore size 381 within the protective sleeve and can provide space between the support sleeve 370 and the bore 325 within the protective sleeve. In other embodiments, the thermocouple outer dimension 360 can be smaller than the bore size 361 within the support sleeve and can provide space between the thermocouple 350 and the bore 375 within the support sleeve. In some embodiments, the thermocouple 350 can fit tightly within the bore 375 within the support sleeve.

The removable sleeve 320 can be easily inspected, repaired or replaced, and the support sleeve 370 can be easily inspected, repaired, or replaced by the removable nature of some embodiments that can remove the support sleeve 370 from the protective sleeve 320 or can remove the thermocouple 350 from the support sleeve 370. And / or thermocouple 350. For example, after significant wear and use, the thermocouple 350 and the support sleeve 370 (if provided) can be easily removed from the protective sleeve 320 to replace the protective sleeve 320 with the new protective sleeve 320, Other expensive components (eg, thermocouple 350 and/or optional support sleeve 370) are not discarded.

In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the bore size 381 within the protective sleeve can accommodate the thermocouple outer dimension 360 such that the thermocouple 350 can be positioned within the protective sleeve 320 (eg, without the support sleeve 370) Time). In some embodiments, the thermocouple 350 can fit tightly within the bore 325 within the protective sleeve. In other embodiments, the thermocouple outer dimension 360 can be smaller than the bore size 381 within the protective sleeve and can provide space between the thermocouple 350 and the protective sleeve bore 325. Accordingly, the thermocouple 350 can be removed from the protective sleeve 320 to, for example, inspect the thermocouple 350, repair the thermocouple 350, or the heat exchange coupler 350. Additionally, as noted above, the thermocouple can also be removed to allow inspection, repair or replacement of the protective sleeve 320 while allowing reuse of the thermocouple. In embodiments where the protective sleeve 320 is sufficiently strong to withstand the processing stress without the support sleeve 370 being reinforced, a protective sleeve 320 without the support sleeve 370 can be provided.

As shown in FIG. 6, the thermocouple 350 can be located within the protective sleeve bore 325 of the protective sleeve 320, and the thermocouple 350 can contact the protective sleeve inner end surface 326 of the protective sleeve second end 322. In a further embodiment, the thermocouple 350 can be biased toward the protective sleeve inner end surface 326 of the protective sleeve second end 322 (eg, by the spring 355). In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the thermocouple 350 can be located within the support sleeve bore 375 of the support sleeve 370, and the thermocouple 350 can contact the support sleeve of the support sleeve second end 372. Inner end surface 376. In a further embodiment, the thermocouple 350 can be biased against the support sleeve inner end surface 376 of the support sleeve second end 372 (eg, by the spring 355). Additionally, the support sleeve outer end surface 378 of the support sleeve second end 372 can be biased to abut and contact the protective sleeve inner end surface 326 of the protective sleeve second end 322 (eg, by spring 355) .

As shown in FIG. 7, the protective sleeve 320 can be secured to the opening of the wall 310 by an adhesive 318 (eg, cement, glue, sealant, etc.) at the interface 316 between the wall 310 of the container 305 and the protective sleeve 320. Within 315. Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, for example, in some embodiments, solid glass 311 can seal interface 316 between wall 310 of container 305 and protective sleeve 320. The solid glass 311 and the adhesive 318 may seal the interface 316 between the wall 310 of the container 305 and the protective sleeve 320, either alone or in combination. Accordingly, the protective sleeve 320 can be removed from the opening 315 in the wall 310 to, for example, inspect the protective sleeve 320, repair the protective sleeve 320, or replace the protective sleeve 320. Removal of the protective sleeve 320 from the opening 315 in the wall 310 can be accomplished by separating the protective sleeve 320 from the wall 310 at the interface 316. For example, the adhesive 318 and/or solid glass 311 at the interface 316 can be removed (eg, chiseled, broken, etc.) to separate the protective sleeve 320 from the wall 310 of the container 305.

As further illustrated in Figure 7, the opening 315 can include an opening dimension 391 into which the protective sleeve 320 can be inserted. In some embodiments, the protective sleeve outer dimension 390 can be larger than the opening size 391 of the opening 315 in the wall 310 of the container 305. In a further embodiment, the protective sleeve outer dimension 390 can be about the same as the opening size 391 of the opening 315 in the wall 310 of the container 305. It will be appreciated that the greater the outer dimension 390 of the protective sleeve, the more protection the sleeve 320 can provide to the thermocouple 350, the more the protective sleeve 320 can be strengthened to resist damage in use. Conversely, the smaller the protective sleeve outer dimension 390, the better heat (eg, faster) can be transferred from the molten glass forming material 306 through the protective sleeve 320 to the thermocouple 350. Thus, in some embodiments, the protective sleeve outer dimension 390 can be selected based, at least in part, on the tradeoff between the rate of heat transfer through the protective sleeve 320 and the degree of protection of the protective sleeve 320.

In some embodiments, the protective sleeve 320 can extend from the inner surface 312 of the wall 310 of the container 305 within a receiving area 307 by a distance 302 of greater than 0 cm to about 25 cm. In further embodiments, the distance 302 can range from greater than 0 cm to about 15 cm. In the other, the distance 302 can be from about 2 cm to about 15 cm. In another embodiment, the distance 302 can be from about 2 cm to about 7 cm. In another embodiment, the distance 302 can be from about 3 cm to about 5 cm. The distance 302 can depend, at least in part, on the location of the temperature of the molten glass forming material 306 to be measured. For example, in some embodiments (not shown), the protective sleeve outer end surface 328 of the protective sleeve 320 may be flush with the inner surface 312 of the wall 310, and the solid glass 311 layer may be at the outer end of the protective sleeve. The surface 328 extends over the thermocouple 350 to measure the temperature corresponding to the temperature of the solid glass 311 at the inner surface 312 of the wall 310. In other embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the protective sleeve 320 can extend into the molten glass forming material 306, and the thermocouple 350 can measure the distance from the wall 310 of the container 305. The surface 312 is a temperature corresponding to the temperature of the molten glass forming material 306 of 302.

In some embodiments, the method of processing the molten material 121 can include the steps of inserting the thermocouple 350 into the protective sleeve 320, and measuring the material within the containment region 307 of the container 305 using the thermocouple 350 (eg, molten glass forming material) 306) temperature. In some embodiments, the method can include the step of solidifying a plurality of molten glass forming materials 306 into solid glass 311 on the side of the inner surface 312 of the wall 310 of the container 305 by cooling the wall 310 of the container 305 with the liquid 303. Floor. For example, liquid 303 can circulate through wall 310 in internal liquid path 304. In some embodiments, the method can include the step of curing a plurality of molten glass forming materials 306 into solid glass 311 to seal the interface 316 between the wall 310 of the container 305 and the protective sleeve 320.

In some embodiments, the protective sleeve second end 322 of the protective sleeve 320 can pass through the opening 315 of the wall 310 and pass through the layer of solid glass 311 such that the second end 322 of the protective sleeve is formed in the molten glass. Within material 306. In some embodiments, the method can include the step of supporting the protective sleeve 370 by at least partially inserting the support sleeve 370 into the protective sleeve bore 325 of the protective sleeve 320.

In some embodiments, the step of measuring the temperature of the material (eg, molten glass forming material 306) can include the step of biasing the thermocouple 350 against the protective sleeve inner end surface 326 of the protective sleeve 320. In some embodiments, the step of measuring the temperature of the material can include the step of biasing the thermocouple 350 against the support sleeve inner end surface 376 of the support sleeve closed end 374 such that the second end of the support sleeve The support sleeve outer end surface 378 of the portion 372 is biased thereby contacting the protective sleeve inner end surface 326 of the protective sleeve 320.

It should be understood that the various disclosed embodiments may be described in connection with the specific features, elements or steps described in the particular embodiments. It is also to be understood that the specific features, elements, or steps are described in the context of a particular embodiment, but may be interchanged or combined with alternative embodiments of various combinations or arrangements not illustrated.

It is to be understood that the terms "the", "an" or "an" are used to mean "at least one" and should not be limited to "the only one" unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to "a component" includes an embodiment having two or more components unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The scope of the disclosure may be from "about" a particular value and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is indicated, embodiments include from a particular value and/or to another particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed in an approximate manner using the preamble "about," it will be appreciated that a particular value will form another aspect. It will be further appreciated that each endpoint of the range is clearly related to the other endpoint and is independent of the other endpoint.

Unless otherwise expressly stated otherwise, any method described herein is not considered to be constructed to perform its steps in a particular order. Therefore, no particular order is recited where the method claims are not in the nature of the order of the steps, or in the scope of the claims.

The use of the phrase "comprising", "a", "an" example. Thus, for example, an alternate embodiment suggesting that a device comprising A+B+C includes an embodiment of a device consisting of A+B+C and an embodiment of a device consisting essentially of A+B+C.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of the invention, which are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

101‧‧‧Glass manufacturing equipment
103‧‧‧glass ribbon
104‧‧‧ glass plate
105‧‧‧Melt container
107‧‧‧ batch materials
109‧‧‧Storage warehouse
111‧‧‧Batch delivery device
113‧‧‧Motor
115‧‧‧ Controller
117‧‧‧ arrow
119‧‧‧Glass melting probe
121‧‧‧ molten material
123‧‧‧ standpipe
125‧‧‧Communication lines
127‧‧‧Clarification container
129‧‧‧First connecting catheter
131‧‧‧Mixed chamber
133‧‧‧ delivery container
135‧‧‧Second connection catheter
137‧‧‧ third connecting catheter
139‧‧‧ delivery tube
140‧‧‧ glass former
141‧‧‧ entrance
143‧‧‧ Forming a container
145‧‧‧ root
153‧‧‧ first vertical edge
155‧‧‧second vertical edge
201‧‧‧ trench
203a‧‧‧堰
203b‧‧‧堰
205a‧‧‧ outer surface
205b‧‧‧ outer surface
207a‧‧‧ sloping the surface of the convergence surface
207b‧‧‧Look down the convergence surface section
209‧‧‧ forming a wedge
211‧‧‧Stretching direction
213‧‧‧ stretching plane
215a‧‧‧ first major surface
215b‧‧‧second main surface
300‧‧‧Molten material equipment
302‧‧‧distance
303‧‧‧Liquid
304‧‧‧Internal fluid path
305‧‧‧ Container
306‧‧‧Melt glass forming materials
307‧‧‧ accommodating area
310‧‧‧ wall
311‧‧‧Solid glass
312‧‧‧ inner surface
313‧‧‧ outer surface
314‧‧‧ Direction
315‧‧‧ openings
316‧‧‧ interface
318‧‧‧Binder
320‧‧‧protective sleeve
321‧‧‧First end of protective sleeve
322‧‧‧The second end of the protective sleeve
323‧‧‧Protection sleeve open end
324‧‧‧ protective sleeve closed end
325‧‧‧Drilling in the protective sleeve
326‧‧‧ Protective sleeve inner end surface
328‧‧‧ Protective sleeve outer end surface
350‧‧‧ thermocouple
353‧‧‧ bracket
354a‧‧‧Anchor
354b‧‧‧Anchor
355‧‧ ‧ spring
360‧‧‧ Thermocouple outer dimensions
361‧‧‧Drilling dimensions in the support sleeve
370‧‧‧protective sleeve
371‧‧‧First end of the support sleeve
372‧‧‧Support sleeve second end
373‧‧‧Open end of support sleeve
374‧‧‧Support sleeve closed end
375‧‧‧Drilling in the support sleeve
376‧‧‧Support sleeve inner end surface
378‧‧‧Support sleeve outer end surface
380‧‧‧Support sleeve outer dimensions
381‧‧‧Drilling dimensions in the protective sleeve
390‧‧‧protection sleeve outer dimensions
391‧‧‧ opening size

These and other features, embodiments, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the reading of the drawings.

1 is a schematic view of a glass manufacturing apparatus according to embodiments described herein;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the glass manufacturing apparatus along line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of an exemplary molten material apparatus along view 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary molten material apparatus along line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of an exemplary molten material apparatus along view 5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of another exemplary molten material apparatus along view 5 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 illustrates a schematic assembly diagram of an exemplary molten material device.

Domestic deposit information (please note according to the order of the depository, date, number)

Foreign deposit information (please note in the order of country, organization, date, number)

(Please change the page separately) No

300‧‧‧Molten material equipment

303‧‧‧Liquid

304‧‧‧Internal fluid path

305‧‧‧ Container

306‧‧‧Melt glass forming materials

307‧‧‧ accommodating area

310‧‧‧ wall

311‧‧‧Solid glass

312‧‧‧ inner surface

313‧‧‧ outer surface

314‧‧‧ Direction

315‧‧‧ openings

320‧‧‧protective sleeve

350‧‧‧ thermocouple

370‧‧‧protective sleeve

Claims (40)

A molten material apparatus comprising: a container including a wall and an opening, the wall at least partially defining a receiving area through which the opening extends; a protective sleeve at least partially mounted to the container Within the opening of the wall, the protective sleeve includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an inner bore, the inner bore including a first end An open end and a closed end, the closed end being defined by an inner end surface of the second end; and a thermocouple positioned within the inner bore of the protective sleeve and biased toward the first end The inner end surface of the two ends. The molten material apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective sleeve is made of a refractory ceramic material. The molten material apparatus of claim 2, wherein the refractory ceramic material comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, chromium oxide, and fused zirconia. The molten material device of claim 1, wherein the thermocouple comprises a platinum/rhodium alloy thermocouple. The molten material device of claim 4, wherein the thermocouple comprises a type B thermocouple. The molten material device of claim 1, wherein the thermocouple contacts the inner end surface of the second end. The molten material device of claim 1, further comprising a support sleeve at least partially located in the inner bore of the protective sleeve, the support sleeve including a first end portion, the support sleeve a second end opposite the first end and an inner bore, the inner bore including an open end at the first end of the support sleeve. The molten material apparatus of claim 7, wherein the inner bore of the support sleeve further comprises a closed end defined by an inner end surface of the second end of the support sleeve, and The thermocouple is positioned within the inner bore of the support sleeve and biased against the inner end surface of the second end of the support sleeve. The molten material apparatus of claim 8, wherein an outer end surface of the second end of the support sleeve is biased to abut the inner end surface of the second end of the protective sleeve. The molten material device of claim 7, wherein the support sleeve comprises a platinum or a platinum alloy. The molten material apparatus of claim 1, wherein the protective sleeve extends within the receiving area from an inner surface of the wall of the container by a distance greater than 0 cm to about 25 cm. The molten material apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a molten glass forming material in the containing area of the container. The molten material device of claim 12, wherein the molten glass forming material comprises a metal. The molten material apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a solid glass layer on an edge of an inner surface of the wall of the container. The molten material device of claim 1, wherein the solid glass seals an interface between the wall of the container and the protective sleeve. A molten material apparatus comprising: a container including a wall and an opening, the wall at least partially defining a receiving area through which the opening extends; a protective sleeve at least partially mounted to the container In the opening of the wall, wherein the protective sleeve is made of a refractory ceramic material comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, chromium oxide and fused zirconia; and a thermocouple, The thermocouple is located within an inner bore of the protective sleeve. The molten material apparatus of claim 16, wherein the thermocouple comprises a platinum/rhodium alloy thermocouple. The molten material device of claim 17, wherein the thermocouple comprises a type B thermocouple. The molten material apparatus of claim 16, wherein the thermocouple contacts an inner end surface of the protective sleeve, the inner end surface of the protective sleeve at least partially defining the inner bore. The molten material apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a support sleeve at least partially within the inner bore of the protective sleeve. The molten material apparatus of claim 20, wherein the thermocouple is located within an inner bore of the support sleeve. The molten material apparatus of claim 21, wherein the thermocouple contacts an inner end surface of the support sleeve, the inner end surface of the support sleeve defining a closed end of the inner bore of the support sleeve, An outer end surface of the support sleeve contacts an inner end surface of the protective sleeve, the inner end surface of the protective sleeve at least partially defining the inner bore of the protective sleeve. The molten material apparatus of claim 20, wherein the support sleeve comprises a platinum or a platinum alloy. The molten material apparatus of claim 16, wherein the protective sleeve extends within the receiving area from an inner surface of the wall of the container by a distance greater than 0 cm to about 25 cm. The molten material apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a molten glass forming material in the containing area of the container. The molten material device of claim 25, wherein the molten glass forming material comprises a metal. The molten material apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a solid glass layer on an edge of an inner surface of the wall of the container. The molten material apparatus of claim 16, wherein the solid glass seals an interface between the wall of the container and the protective sleeve. A method of processing a molten material, comprising the steps of: inserting a thermocouple into a protective sleeve made of a refractory ceramic material, wherein the protective sleeve is at least partially mounted in an opening in a wall of a container; A temperature of a material in a receiving area of the container is measured using the thermocouple. The method of claim 29, wherein the material comprises a molten glass forming material. The method of claim 30, wherein the molten glass forming material comprises a metal. The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of solidifying a plurality of the molten glass forming material into a solid on an edge of an inner surface of the wall of the container by cooling the wall of the container with a liquid. Glass layer. The method of claim 32, wherein one end of the protective sleeve passes through the opening of the wall and passes through the solid glass layer such that one end of the protective sleeve is within the molten glass forming material . The method of claim 30, further comprising the step of curing a plurality of the molten glass forming material into a solid glass to seal an interface between the wall of the container and the protective sleeve. The method of claim 29, wherein the step of measuring the temperature of the material comprises the step of biasing the thermocouple against an inner end surface of the protective sleeve, the inner end of the protective sleeve The surface defines a closed end of an inner bore of the protective sleeve. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of supporting the protective sleeve by at least partially inserting a support sleeve into an inner bore of the protective sleeve. The method of claim 36, wherein the step of measuring the temperature of the material comprises the step of biasing the thermocouple against an inner end surface of a closed end of the support sleeve such that An outer end surface of the closed end of the support sleeve is biased against an inner end surface of the protective sleeve, the inner end surface of the protective sleeve defining a closure of the inner bore of the protective sleeve end. The method of claim 36, wherein the support sleeve comprises a platinum or a platinum alloy. The method of claim 29, wherein the refractory ceramic material of the protective sleeve comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, chromium oxide, and fused zirconia. The method of claim 29, wherein the protective sleeve extends within the receiving region from an inner surface of the wall of the container by a distance greater than 0 cm to about 25 cm.